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Friday, 31 January 2014

Sir Albert McQuarrie - A Lifetime of MemoriesONE of Scotland's most colourful MPs of the 1980s has published his memoirs at the age of 95.Foreword by Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG, PC, QC, MP.Hardback 100,000 words – 26 Chapters – 94 Photographs

Copies of
the book signed by the author can be obtained from Sir Albert
McQuarrie, Kintara House, Newton Road, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire AB42 5EF,
UK

Sir Albert McQuarrie, former Member of Parliament for East Aberdeenshire, Banff and Buchan, born on 1st January 1918 - 95½ years ago – has written his memoirs. This remarkable achievement has taken Sir Albert 11 months of writing. It covers many experiences and aspects of his youth, his business activities, the years in Parliament. He piloted a number of Private Member’s Bills - notably the Regulations in the Safety at Sea Act of 1986 which has saved the lives of many fishermen. He successfully led the opposition to that part of the British Nationality Bill 1981 which sought to remove the right from the people of Gibraltar to be British Citizens. For his tenacity in the House of Commons the media gave him the nickname of ‘The Buchan Bulldog’.

This is a book written from the heart, and mind, by the former apprentice plumber who by his drive and determination became a successful businessman, a Member of Parliament, elected to Mr Speaker’s Panel of Chairmen and a Knight of the Realm.

General

We invite
you to share a life of diverse interests in this engaging book. The reader is
invited to accompany Sir Albert on his journey through a life dedicated to his
passion for politics.

Sir
Albert reveals an intimate view of the conservative leadership. His enthusiasm
for political life makes him a fascinating and incisive chronicler of the inner
workings of government. Sir Malcolm Rifkind recounts in his Foreword, that Sir
Albert

......
was a great champion of the fishing industry of the North-East of Scotland and
this, rightly, led to him being referred to as the ‘Buchan Bulldog’. It was a
reference both to his physical appearance and to his tenacity. He was as happy
with the title as Margaret Thatcher was with being known as the ‘Iron Lady’.

His
energy and enthusiasm was not confined to his own constituency. He championed
the people of Gibraltar and their entitlement to remain British, for many
years; chaired Parliamentary scrutiny committees at the Speaker’s request, and
has done valuable charitable work.

A
Lifetime of Memories revolves around the twin themes of
business and political life, boasts a cast of fascinating, often high profile
figures such as Margaret Thatcher, Lord Boothby, Rt Hon George Thomas,
(Viscount Tonypandy) and Lord Forsyth. Throughout there are delightful
vignettes making the book fall into the ‘must have category’.

Reviews

Sir Albert McQuarrie earned the nickname the Buchan Bulldog as MP for East Aberdeenshire, Banff and Buchan for his staunch support for the Scottish fishing industry during his two terms at Westminster during the Thatcher era.

In A Lifetime of Memories and published by The Memoir Club, Sir Albert tells the story of how he rose from being an apprentice plumber to set up his own business after serving in the Second World War and later become a councillor in Gourock.

He first stood for Parliament in 1966 but did not win a seat until 1979, when he was one of 21 Scottish Conservative MPs elected as the Tories seized power under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

He won the previously SNP-held seat by 558 votes and retained it four years later before losing to a highly-rated young Nationalist called Alex Salmond in 1987. Sir Albert was responsible for introducing regulations improving safety on board fishing vessels.

In his foreword to the book, former Scottish Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind describes Sir Albert - now retired and living in Aberdeenshire - as a "splendid colleague".

Recalled his reputation as the Buchan Bulldog, he adds: "He was as happy with the title as Margaret Thatcher was with being known as the Iron Lady."

‘Sir Albert, your book
was fabulous. What a wonderful
life. We enjoyed reading every
word. Many congratulations’.Arni
and Eve, Great Crosby

‘Your book was
excellent and a pleasure to read’. C Penny, Stuartfield, Aberdeenshire

‘What a wonderful piece of work. A great read which brought back many memories’. S.G., Fraserburgh

‘I am going to enjoy reading this
book. There is so much in it which puts
it in a class of its own’. A.G., Ayrshire

What a wonderful read. I could not put it down. It was so exciting’. M.G., Monifieth

‘I have enjoyed reading your
biography. It is personal and
fascinating. Like you I try to follow
the sentiments of Simon Grellet’. S.W., Westhill, Aberdeen

‘I was overcome with emotion when I
read your very careful chosen words. It
was such a special thing for me to read of your caring nature’. S.R.,
Preston

‘Your book is worth reading. Yours is a life well worth having on
record. I am enjoying it’.D.A., London

‘I enjoyed reading your book. It was a most interesting read of all the
remarkable things in your life’. L.B., New Leeds

‘Thank you, Albert, for the many
accomplishments you had when our MP. The
fishermen have a lot to be grateful for from your efforts’. A.A., Peterhead,
Aberdeenshire

‘We are delighted to report the
copies of your book have reached us. The
book is handsomely presented which should make you proud’. G.K. Queensland
Australia

‘I have enjoyed reading your
book. The parts relating to Gibraltar
have been of great interest to me. You
did so much for the people of Gibraltar when you served as an MP In London’. L.P., Gibraltar

‘What an achievement having written
your Memoirs. We have enjoyed it
immensely and are now reading it again – it was of such interest’. G
& M, Kent

‘Yes, Sir Albert, authorship is hard
work. It is enormously to your credit
you should have produced ‘A Lifetime of Memories’ as a nonagenarian. I am enjoying reading all your achievements
and particularly those when you served as an MP’. T.D.,
Linlithgow

‘May every Blessing be with you and
good luck with the selling of your book.
I am looking forward so much to reading A Lifetime of memories’. R.M. Peterhead

‘I have finished reading your most
interesting and entertaining book which gave me much pleasure. It has been a job well done – many
congratulations’. D.T. West Sussex

‘We were delighted to receive a copy
of your book ‘A Lifetime of Memories’.
It will be read with much interest’.
A & B, Aberdeen

‘What an amazing life you have had
Sir Albert. I enjoyed reading your book
and finding out your goal to such great success’. E.D., Turriff, Abdns

I am enjoying reading your book. It is making such fantastic reading – well
done’. T.B., Fife

‘Thank you for the book. There are not many people of 95 years writing
their memoirs. It has brought back many
fond memories to me’. JBS, Midlothian

‘What a surprise in the mail. Your book looks great. Cannot wait to read it. I will need more! Do not sell them all until you have heard
from me’. I.H., Moray

‘Thank you very much for the
book. Dipped into it and looking forward
to a good read. In awe of the work you
have done to produce the book’. S.G., London

‘Something worth reading. We are grateful to you for such an excellent
product. Good luck with the sales’. G.M., Malaga, Spain

‘Delighted to see the photograph of
Albert Street and McQuarrie Street on back outer cover of your book. Your family name is much revered in New South
Wales’. M.M., Sydney, Aust

‘Please let me tell you how much I
enjoyed reading your book ‘A Lifetime of Memories’, Sir Albert. I walked every road with you in the
marvellous journey of your life so far’.
G.K. Australia

‘Many thanks for the book A Lifetime
of Memories. It is a great meander
through a political period that marked my own Ministry and I am thoroughly
enjoying it’. H.S., Bearsden

‘We would congratulate you on the
outstanding achievement. An immense job
well done. Great read’. R & R, Glasgow

‘In your book you manage to convey an
understandable and entirely justifiable pride in your achievements without
being conceited. It gave me great
pleasure to read your book’. A.B., Wales

‘Wonderful achievement to complete
your book in just over one year. Many
Congratulations on the production of your book – perfect for people of all ages
as all our lives are built on memories’.
S.D., Luss

‘Much enjoyed reading your book –
particularly the account of the compassion and humanity shown to the survivors
of the Arandora Star’. J.S., Berwick

‘Enjoyed your
book. With a time line of 95 years you
are an outstanding gentleman with a passion and desire to serve Queen and
Country. To give up what you had to
pursue a career in politics demonstrates to the reader your wish to help
people. Fishermen the country over are
most grateful for your Safety at Sea Bill which due to the EPIRB now on vessels
has saved lives of many fishermen. There
are some wonderful people in the world and I say Sir Albert you are one of
them. I hope your book sells well’. J.B.,
Peterhead

‘The book is
fantastic, Sir Albert. Full of many
achievements in your very active life’. A.D., Aberdeen

‘Wonderful surprise to learn you have written your
memoirs. Many Congratulations. Looking forward so much to reading it’. B.,
London

‘Delighted to
purchase your book. Full of admiration
for the effort. Enjoying reading it
immensely’.

C.C., Mintlaw

‘It is fantastic
and interesting bringing back memories to me’.
R.L., Walton

‘No surprise your
book is a success. Well written and
shows your wonderful career. Now proudly
in my bookshelf’. Y.B., London